This series contains frameworks to illustrate three basic themes: alignments – or lack of alignments, forces that separate, and fractures that separate.

The alignments frameworks are split by a diagonal division. The diagonal division conveys a split like a vertical division cannot. Vertical divisions are too common and are not interpreted as having any meaning. There are some frameworks within the alignments that are misaligned. Again, these tell a story that boxes or fields with misaligned vertical splits cannot tell; they simply look like someone was sloppy when they put the slide together. These alignments frameworks are a nice addition to the library. Alignments are difficult to convey, but there are many instances where they can be used.

The forces are uniform, lightening-bolt-type frameworks that signify a deliberate effort or controlled action. The forces can be used to illustrate the effect of an action that was taken to separate or disconnect parts of a whole, making them separate entities.

The fracture is a random, uncontrolled split, implying that something unexpected has happened to split a whole into pieces. The series example illustrates a fracture. Notice that two objects were split by the same fracture. This is significant, as many times one unexpected action can have effects on several associated but unconnected entities.

These frameworks are simple to use and effective at graphically delivering these three messages. See the tutorial for formatting techniques and the downloadable animated example for an animation scheme idea. The tutorial has a step-by-step guide on how to add photographs to shapes in PowerPoint 2007 – bonus!